Port Lincoln McDonald’s owner Tony Baj’s goal of raising $50,000 for the Ronald McDonald House is one step closer after a cheque worth nearly $9000 was by the Port Lincoln Racing Club on Tuesday, May 15.

Mr Baj said after the donation he was almost half way in raising $50,000 in 2018 for the charity, having raised about $24,000 since the start of the year.

Club chairman Greg Fitzgerald and deputy chairman Tony Irvine presented the $8931.70 cheque to Mr Baj earlier this week, displaying the eight year partnership between the two organisations.

Mr Fitzgerald said $1 of the proceeds from each admission to the races and from race book sales was donated to the charity, as well as all of the revenue from recycling cans and bottles from the racecourse.

He said there were many donation boxes spread around the course during the season where race attendees could donate money.

Mr Baj said there was at least one person from the Eyre Peninsula staying in the house “every night.”

He said the club had donated more than $40,000 over the previous eight years to the charity.

The houses provide a place to stay for families with hospitalised children who are being treated at nearby medical facilities, and aim to improve the lives of sick children and their families.